Computer Company Opens Hub In Orlando

Sarcom Inc., An Ohio-based Computer Consultant, Will Hire Up To 150 People Within The Next Two Years.

August 10, 1999|By Richard Burnett of The Sentinel Staff

Buoyed by growing sales in the region, Sarcom Inc., a Columbus, Ohio, computer consultant, has established its Florida base in Orlando and plans to hire up to 150 workers within the next two years, the company said Monday.

Sarcom also plans to open satellite offices in Brevard County, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami.

``The idea is to create the hub in Orlando and branch out from here to peripheral areas,'' Sarcom area director Steve Kedzior said.

New hires will include computer network engineers, programmers, Web developers and other technical staff. Annual salaries average $55,000 but can reach into the six figures, he said.

``We've seen double-digit growth in recent years,'' Kedzior said. ``Establishing the Orlando presence is part of our overall strategy to take the company national and expand our market.''

Nationwide, Sarcom employs almost 3,000 people at 25 branches, with annual sales exceeding $700 million. Locally, the company has hired more than 40 workers since June, Kedzior said.

Sarcom helps clients decide what computer systems to buy, manages the implementation of systems and provides other technical support. Local clients include SunTrust Bank N.A. and Chep USA.

About two months ago, SunTrust hired Sarcom to provide computer training for its employees, said Ray Evans, SunTrust group vice president for client technology. Sarcom is one of several consulting companies retained by the bank, he said.

Three months ago, Sarcom landed a deal with Chep, a nationwide industrial pallet-leasing company, based in Orlando. Sarcom provides advice on computer purchasing and manages the implementation of several new systems, Chep information systems director Rod Dunlap said.

Sarcom joins a number of computer services-related companies that have been in a hiring mode locally this year. Among them: Oracle Corp., Advanced Data Designs, Convergys Corp., Veritas Software and Fiserv Orlando.

So many are hiring, however, that demand for computer professionals exceeds supply, said Ann Robbins, managing director of the Maitland office of Right Management Consultants, a job-search consulting firm.

``It is very difficult recruiting enough qualified, technical people in Central Florida,'' she said. ``Often, you will see companies trying to pry workers away from competitors, wooing them by offering bigger salaries, better work hours and benefits.''

In some cases, the demand is so great it triggers a bidding war for new talent, Robbins said.

``We've seen a number of individuals having multiple job offers after minimal time in the job market,'' she said. ``Often they'll find employers bidding against each other to hire them.''

Despite the labor shortage, Sarcom has had no trouble attracting talent, Kedzior said.

``We have a good management team that is well-connected in the industry,'' he said. ``People know who we are and what we're about, so that helps us in our recruiting efforts.''